The benefits of quitting smoking are numerous and begin immediately after quitting. Within just 20 minutes of quitting, heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop. Within a year, the risk of heart disease is cut in half, and within five years, the risk of stroke and certain types of cancer is greatly reduced. Additionally, quitting smoking can improve lung function, reduce respiratory symptoms, and increase energy levels. Quitting smoking also has numerous financial benefits, as the cost of cigarettes and related health expenses can add up quickly.

Quitting smoking can have numerous health benefits. The most obvious one is the immediate improvement to an individual’s cardiovascular health. Quitting smoking reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack. Reduced risk of heart attacks can be seen within an hour of the last cigarette. Other health benefits of quitting smoking include a decreased risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer, improved breathing, reduced risk of a wide range of other diseases including COPD, better vision, improved fertility, and improved circulation. Quitting smoking can also have many psychological benefits such as improved mood, increased energy, better sense of taste and smell, and improved self-esteem. The ultimate benefit of quitting smoking is that it can lead to a longer life. Quitting smoking can add years to an individual’s life expectancy and can improve the overall quality of life.